LIFE OF SHADOWS
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Chapter 2-
Houses Abode
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"I lived a life of shadows, never felt the sun on my face."
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Katrina felt like shriveling up and dying on the spot. Thousands of pairs of eyes were now fixated on her, watching her every move.
"Hello… erm… nice to meet you…?" She said, her voice dwindling away so the statement ended up sounding like a question.
"Katrina will be staying with us for the next two years. She will join the current 6th years and be treated like an ordinary student."
Albus Dumbledore inclined his head to her and she smiled back at him, retuning his nod and preparing to go sit down.
"Where…"
She trailed off, her eyes flicking from one table to the next, wondering where she should go. Blinking, the youth looked around as if seeking guidance from those littered around her. They all watched her cautiously, as if urging her onward. Onward? Onward where?
'I don't really like snakes,' She found herself thinking randomly, turning to look at the Headmaster for instructions. He simply waved his hand, urging her on silently. Whispered conversations had broken out in groups between students. Katrina took a deep breath, darted an uneasy look at all the students, wondering whether they were wishing that she be sorted in their house or not. She spun on her heel, striding quickly to the small stool which hadn't been put away and sat down. Upon instinct she picked up the battered looking hat and slipped it onto her head.
'I like cats better. Big cats.' She thought, nearly jumping a foot in the air when a voice replied.
Are you sure? You could be a great serpent…
'No… not a serpent,' Katrina thought somewhat desperately, unaware that that one thought would probably change many a persons life
That makes it a lot easier for me; enjoy your new house, GRYFFINDOR.
Katrina got up shakily, taking off the hat and walking towards the table at the far end, Gryffindor Table.
'Well, that had been easy…'
Gryffindor. She had chosen Gryffindor. A part of her felt proud, the other part cringed. Something within her screamed that she should have been put in Slytherin… with the serpents. She was probably the first person who wanted to be placed in Slytherin but was placed in another house. A small smile of satisfaction appeared on her face as she imagined the look of outrage on her parents faces. The blood of a thousand serpents flowed through her veins… yet she had been placed in the lions den.
As she sat down she heard a collective sigh, privately she wondered whether it was relief or regret. She looked around at her fellow classmates, smiling nervously. A few smiled back, others had guarded expressions on their faces. One boy caught her particular attention. He was staring at the ceiling with an avid expression on his face and blushed a delicate shade of magenta when he looked away from the sky and realized that she was watching him.
Katrina looked around the Hall curiously, taking in her surroundings. Four long tables stood, students seated on either end, each clad in the same black robes. Katrina looked down, fingering her own robes, a warm feeling growing inside of her. For once maybe she would belong. She could start over forget about her past.
"Shadow passes, light remains…" Katrina whispered to herself, causing a girl with bushy hair sitting nearby to scowl and put her finger to her lips. She made an apologetic face, staring absent-mindedly at the ceiling, which was currently having an array of shooting stars soaring across it.
Katrina heard Dumbledore's voice telling them to tuck in and slowly she felt as if she was being pulled back down to earth. She turned to the many dishes that had just appeared in front of her and pondered what to eat. So many choices, it was almost impossible to decide. Ah well, better have some of everything.
"Hey, can you pass me the Yorkshire pudding?" A voice said, tapping Katrina on the shoulder. She turned to see a youthful face with a sprinkling of freckles and topped with a mop of bright red hair.
"Yeah, sure." She muttered, reaching over for the bowl and handing it to the girl who was in fact Ginny Weasley.
"I'm Ginny by the way." The girl added as an afterthought, remembering her manners. "And that's my brother, Ron down the end of the table."
"Katrina Milano." Katrina said quietly, scooping up some salad.
"Yeah, kinda heard." Ginny interrupted, grinning. Katrina hesitated, wondering if Ginny was making fun of her. As if reading her thoughts she smiled reassuringly, her brown eyes twinkling. "Don't worry, i don't bite."
Katrina nodded, turning back to her plate. Seeing that she didn't want to talk anymore Ginny turned away and started discussing Quidditch tactics with Natalyn Jordan. Katrina bent her head and continued eating silently. The people seemed friendly enough. She couldn't let her guard down though. Yawning, she reached for some more pie but found she was too full to eat another bite. She smiled, wondering if the food was this good everyday. Glancing up she saw everyone getting up and filing out the door. She watched them for a few minutes and once she was sure she knew which one was her house she got up, following the girl who has scowled at her during Dumbledore's speech.
Yawning, Katrina crawled into bed, grateful for the crisp white sheets and fluffy pillows. Opening her eyes she propped her elbows up and rested her chin on her hand so she could look out the window on the other side of her dorm. She had pulled the ruby red curtains around her area three quarters shut so she would still be aware of everything that happened around her but have her privacy as well. Even though there was no fireplace in the room it was nice and toasty. Someone had even put a water bottle under the bed sheets. She reminded herself to thank that person. Unwillingly she felt fatigue envelop her, her head dropping down onto the soft pillows provided, one last thought in her head. Lessons tomorrow. Great…
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Harry stared at the ceiling, a small smile on his face. Well, well, well. A new addition to Gryffindor. No explanation either. That was interesting. A thoughtful look on his face Harry put his hands behind his head, his emerald green eyes glittering in the darkness. She seemed nice enough. A bit uncomfortable when under scrutiny though. He could relate to that. Yawning Harry felt a grin spread across his face. He would befriend her. Talk to her. Show her round the school. He wondered if she liked Quidditch… Suddenly another thought hit him. The look on her face, the way she held herself… it made him wonder what she'd been upto for the last sixteen years of her life. More importantly, where had she been for the last five years? Why hadn't she come to Hogwarts? How come Dumbledore hadn't mentioned that random people could join Hogwarts before? Who were her parents? Why didn't they let her come to Hogwarts in her first year along with everyone else? Was she some kind of child prodigy? Why had she looked so shocked when the sorting hat said that she was in Gryffindor? Had she wanted to be in Slytherin? What if she believed the Daily Prophet and thought he was a nut case?
With all these questions plaguing his mind Harry was sure he was going to suffer from insomnia but eventually he dozed off and slept soundly throughout the night, not even waking up when a raven glided in silently through the window, perching on his pillow and watching him. The bird didn't move a feather until the first rays of sunlight could be seen. Then it took off, flying out the window with ease as noiselessly as it arrived. Harry stretched, turning over in his sleep, completely unaware of his feathered beholder.